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The objective was to estimate the genetic parameters of performance and resilience of growing pigs under disease. Data were from 3,139 Yorkshire × Landrace wean-to-finish pigs that were exposed to a natural polymicrobial disease challenge that was established by entering naturally infected animals into a nursery barn, targeting various viral and bacterial diseases. The challenge was maintained by entering batches of 60 or 75 healthy nursery pigs every 3 wk in a continuous flow system. Traits analyzed included average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and duration (ADFD); feed conversion ratio (FCR); residual feed intake (RFI); mortality (MOR); number of health treatments (TRT); health scores (HScore); carcass weight (CWT), back fat (CBF) and loin depth (CLD); dressing percentage (DRS); lean yield (LYLD); day-to-day variation in feed intake and duration (VARFI and VARDUR); and the proportion of off-feed days (OFFFI and OFFDUR). Analyses were performed by mixed linear models with genomic relationships. The resilience traits, such as TRT, MOR, and HScore, were lowly heritable (up to 0.15) but had high genetic correlations with each other. Performance traits, such as ADG, ADFI, ADFD, FCR, RFI, and carcass traits, were moderate to highly heritable (0.17 to 0.49). Heritabilities of resilience indicator traits such as OFF and VAR had low to moderate heritabilities (0.08 to 0.23) but were higher when based on duration vs. amount. ADFI had a low genetic correlation with ADFD (0.13). ADG in the challenge nursery had stronger negative genetic correlations with both TRT and MOR than ADG in the finisher (−0.37 to −0.74 vs. −0.15 to −0.56). ADFI and FCR had moderate negative (−0.21 to −0.39) and positive (0.34 to 0.49) genetic correlations, respectively, with TRT and MOR. ADFD and RFI had very low genetic correlations with TRT and MOR. CWT and DRS were moderately negatively correlated with TRT and MOR (−0.33 to −0.59). Resilience indicator traits based on feed intake or duration had moderate to high positive genetic correlations with TRT (0.18 to 0.81) and MOR (0.33 to 0.87). In conclusion, performance and resilience traits under a polymicrobial disease challenge are heritable and can be changed by selection. Phenotypes extracted from feed intake patterns can be used as genetic indicator traits for disease resilience. Most promising is day-to-day variation in intake duration, which had a sizeable heritability (0.23) and favorable genetic correlations with MOR (0.79) and treatment rate (0.20). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate the effect of weaning age, weaning weight, and nursery feeding regime on post-weaning performance. The focus was on pigs weaned light, as they may be better off when weaned at a later age and/or offered a specialist nursery feeding regime. Piglets (n = 1,448) from one farrowing batch of 110 sows that farrowed over 2 wk were individually weighed and their morphometric measurements were taken at birth. Pigs were weaned on the same day, but variation in birth date resulted in variable weaning ages (mean age day 34.1, SD = 2.5). The youngest 50% at weaning were classified Y and the oldest 50% as O; within an age class, the lightest 50% were classified L, the heaviest 50% as H, and housed accordingly. Pigs were individually weighed at weaning, 7 and 15 wk post-weaning. At weaning, Y were 6 d younger and 1.4 kg lighter than O pigs, whereas L were 3.2 kg lighter than H pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to a 3-stage superior (SUP) or control (CON) nursery feeding regime, with SUP pigs having a 65% greater allowance (on a kg/pig basis) of the first and second stage feeds than the CON. Pigs weaned Y had a higher mortality rate from weaning to 7 wk post-weaning than pigs weaned O (9.14% vs. 4.98%; P = 0.046). As expected, age and weight significantly (P < 0.001) affected performance to both 7 and 15 wk post-weaning: at 15-wk pigs weaned Y were 5.5 kg lighter than pigs weaned O; pigs weaned L were 9.0 kg lighter than H pigs. It was estimated that pigs weaned YL needed ~4 d more (P = 0.018) to reach 60 kg BW than pigs weaned OL. Feed intake was not affected by feeding regime, age and weight, or their interactions. Performance was not affected by feeding regime (P > 0.05), but was affected by the weight × feeding regime interaction (P = 0.044) to 7 wk post-weaning: L pigs on SUP were 1.2 kg heavier than L pigs on the CON regime; this was not the case for the H pigs. Performance up to 7 wk post-weaning was positively associated with birth weight to cranial circumference ratio and weaning weight (P < 0.05) for both YL and OL pigs; for the latter, additional performance predictors were weaning age (P = 0.044) and feeding (P = 0.027). Improved growth for L pigs up to 7 wk post-weaning could be obtained by a greater allowance of the nursery diets. However, weaning at a later age benefitted the performance of L pigs to a common BW, suggesting that this might be a strategy with longer term benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to determine the standardized total tract digestible phosphorus (STTD P) requirement for 11- to 23-kg nursery pigs fed diets with or without phytase. A total of 1,080 and 2,140 pigs (PIC 359 × Camborough, Hendersonville, TN; initially 11.4 ± 0.29 and 11.1 ± 0.24 kg) were used in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. There were 23 to 27 pigs per pen with 6 and 12 replicate pens per treatment in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. After weaning, pigs were fed a common pelleted diet with 0.45% STTD P for 7 d, and a common phase 2 meal diet with 0.40% STTD P for 14 d in Exp. 1 and 18 d in Exp. 2. Pens of pigs were then allotted to dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with body weight (BW) as the blocking factor. In Exp. 1, dietary treatments consisted of 0.26%, 0.30%, 0.33%, 0.38%, 0.43%, 0.48%, and 0.53% STTD P. Treatments were achieved with the inclusion of monocalcium phosphate at the expense of corn. In Exp. 2, diets contained 1,000 phytase units (FYT; Ronozyme Hiphos 2500, DSM Nutritional Products, Inc. Parsippany, NJ) with assumed release value 0.132% STTD P, and treatments consisted of 0.30%, 0.33%, 0.38%, 0.43%, 0.48%, 0.53%, and 0.58% STTD P. These STTD P concentrations included the expected phytase release of 0.132% STTD P. In both experiments, a similar 1.17:1 Ca:P ratio was maintained across treatments. Statistical models included linear model (LM), quadratic polynomial (QP), broken-line linear (BLL), and broken-line quadratic (BLQ). In Exp. 1, increasing STTD P increased (linear, P < 0.001) ADG, ADFI, G:F, final BW, and grams of STTD P intake per day and per kilogram of gain. There was also a marginal quadratic response for G:F (P < 0.066). In Exp. 2, ADG and G:F increased quadratically (P < 0.05), whereas ADFI increased linearly (P = 0.060) with increasing STTD P. The BLL and QP model provided similar fit to G:F in Exp. 1, estimating the requirement for maximum G:F at 0.34% and 0.42%, respectively. The BLL was the best fitting model for ADG and G:F in Exp. 2, estimating the breakpoint at 0.40% and 0.37% STTD P, respectively. The BLL and BLQ models estimated the breakpoint for ADG as a function of STTD P intake in grams per day at 2.92 and 3.02 g/d, respectively. These data provide empirical evidence that for 11- to 23-kg pigs, the NRC (2012) accurately estimates the STTD P requirement on a g/d basis. As a percentage of the diet, the STTD P requirement for diets without or with 1,000 FYT added phytase ranged from 0.34% to 0.42%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to determine the standardized total tract digestible phosphorus (STTD P) requirement for 11- to 23-kg nursery pigs fed diets with or without phytase. A total of 1,080 and 2,140 pigs (PIC 359 × Camborough, Hendersonville, TN; initially 11.4 ± 0.29 and 11.1 ± 0.24 kg) were used in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. There were 23 to 27 pigs per pen with 6 and 12 replicate pens per treatment in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. After weaning, pigs were fed a common pelleted diet with 0.45% STTD P for 7 d, and a common phase 2 meal diet with 0.40% STTD P for 14 d in Exp. 1 and 18 d in Exp. 2. Pens of pigs were then allotted to dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with body weight (BW) as the blocking factor. In Exp. 1, dietary treatments consisted of 0.26%, 0.30%, 0.33%, 0.38%, 0.43%, 0.48%, and 0.53% STTD P. Treatments were achieved with the inclusion of monocalcium phosphate at the expense of corn. In Exp. 2, diets contained 1,000 phytase units (FYT; Ronozyme Hiphos 2500, DSM Nutritional Products, Inc. Parsippany, NJ) with assumed release value 0.132% STTD P, and treatments consisted of 0.30%, 0.33%, 0.38%, 0.43%, 0.48%, 0.53%, and 0.58% STTD P. These STTD P concentrations included the expected phytase release of 0.132% STTD P. In both experiments, a similar 1.17:1 Ca:P ratio was maintained across treatments. Statistical models included linear model (LM), quadratic polynomial (QP), broken-line linear (BLL), and broken-line quadratic (BLQ). In Exp. 1, increasing STTD P increased (linear, P < 0.001) ADG, ADFI, G:F, final BW, and grams of STTD P intake per day and per kilogram of gain. There was also a marginal quadratic response for G:F (P < 0.066). In Exp. 2, ADG and G:F increased quadratically (P < 0.05), whereas ADFI increased linearly (P = 0.060) with increasing STTD P. The BLL and QP model provided similar fit to G:F in Exp. 1, estimating the requirement for maximum G:F at 0.34% and 0.42%, respectively. The BLL was the best fitting model for ADG and G:F in Exp. 2, estimating the breakpoint at 0.40% and 0.37% STTD P, respectively. The BLL and BLQ models estimated the breakpoint for ADG as a function of STTD P intake in grams per day at 2.92 and 3.02 g/d, respectively. These data provide empirical evidence that for 11- to 23-kg pigs, the NRC (2012) accurately estimates the STTD P requirement on a g/d basis. As a percentage of the diet, the STTD P requirement for diets without or with 1,000 FYT added phytase ranged from 0.34% to 0.42%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of providing a dietary probiotic, Bacillus subtilis C-3102, to sows during gestation and lactation and to progeny after weaning on performance, fecal consistency, and fecal microbes. For the sow portion of the study, 29 sows and litters were used from day 30 of gestation until weaning. Sow treatments consisted of control diet or probiotic diet with B. subtilis C-3102 at 500,000 cfu/g of gestation feed and 1,000,000 cfu/g of lactation feed. For the nursery portion of the study, 358 weaned pigs, progeny of sows on study, were used in a 42-d nursery study. Nursery treatments consisted of control diet or probiotic diet with B. subtilis C-3102 and prebiotics at 500,000 cfu/g of nursery feed. Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with sow treatment (control or probiotic diet) as main plot and nursery treatment (control or probiotic diet) as subplot. Performance, fecal consistency by fecal score method, and fecal microbes by isolation and enumeration method were assessed. In lactation, probiotic-fed sows tended (P = 0.057) to have increased feed intake, but it did not improve (P > 0.05) sow or litter performance in lactation. In the nursery, there were no (P > 0.10) interactions or main effects of sow or nursery treatments on overall growth performance. However, pigs born from control-fed sows had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and body weight in late nursery than pigs born from probiotic-fed sows. Fecal score evaluation of nursing and nursery pigs indicated no influence (P > 0.05) of sow or nursery treatments on fecal consistency. Fecal microbial analysis revealed a modest modification in fecal microbial population by increasing (P < 0.05) the number of total Bacillus sp. in probiotic-fed sows and nursery pigs. Nursing piglets born from probiotic-fed sows carried over (P < 0.05) this modification in fecal microbial population preweaning. In conclusion, providing a probiotic based on B. subtilis C-3102 to sows during gestation and lactation and to progeny after weaning did not elicit noteworthy improvements in performance or fecal consistency, but there was a benefit on sow lactation feed intake. Fecal microbial analysis indicated a maternal-progeny intestinal microbiota relationship with pigs born from probiotic-fed sows displaying similar fecal microbial population as sows. However, pigs born from probiotic-fed sows demonstrated reduced growth rate and feed consumption in late nursery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of providing a dietary probiotic, Bacillus subtilis C-3102, to sows during gestation and lactation and to progeny after weaning on performance, fecal consistency, and fecal microbes. For the sow portion of the study, 29 sows and litters were used from day 30 of gestation until weaning. Sow treatments consisted of control diet or probiotic diet with B. subtilis C-3102 at 500,000 cfu/g of gestation feed and 1,000,000 cfu/g of lactation feed. For the nursery portion of the study, 358 weaned pigs, progeny of sows on study, were used in a 42-d nursery study. Nursery treatments consisted of control diet or probiotic diet with B. subtilis C-3102 and prebiotics at 500,000 cfu/g of nursery feed. Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with sow treatment (control or probiotic diet) as main plot and nursery treatment (control or probiotic diet) as subplot. Performance, fecal consistency by fecal score method, and fecal microbes by isolation and enumeration method were assessed. In lactation, probiotic-fed sows tended (P = 0.057) to have increased feed intake, but it did not improve (P > 0.05) sow or litter performance in lactation. In the nursery, there were no (P > 0.10) interactions or main effects of sow or nursery treatments on overall growth performance. However, pigs born from control-fed sows had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and body weight in late nursery than pigs born from probiotic-fed sows. Fecal score evaluation of nursing and nursery pigs indicated no influence (P > 0.05) of sow or nursery treatments on fecal consistency. Fecal microbial analysis revealed a modest modification in fecal microbial population by increasing (P < 0.05) the number of total Bacillus sp. in probiotic-fed sows and nursery pigs. Nursing piglets born from probiotic-fed sows carried over (P < 0.05) this modification in fecal microbial population preweaning. In conclusion, providing a probiotic based on B. subtilis C-3102 to sows during gestation and lactation and to progeny after weaning did not elicit noteworthy improvements in performance or fecal consistency, but there was a benefit on sow lactation feed intake. Fecal microbial analysis indicated a maternal-progeny intestinal microbiota relationship with pigs born from probiotic-fed sows displaying similar fecal microbial population as sows. However, pigs born from probiotic-fed sows demonstrated reduced growth rate and feed consumption in late nursery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study used Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to investigate whether maternal immune challenge during late gestation altered programming of the offspring hypothalamus and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPAA). In addition, interactions of maternal diet, supplementation with fish oil (FO) or microalgae (AL), and complex vs. simple weaning diets were investigated. Briefly, Landrace × Yorkshire sows (N = 48) were randomly assigned to diets supplemented with FO, AL, or a standard gestation control diet (CON) from day 75 of gestation (gd 75) until parturition. On gd 112, half the sows from each dietary treatment were immune challenged with LPS (10 μg/kg BW) or saline as a control. At 21 d postpartum, the offspring were weaned, and half the animals from each maternal treatment were allocated to either a complex or simple weaning diet. At 28 d postpartum, the offspring's hourly fever and 2-h cortisol responses to LPS immune challenge (40 μg/kg BW) were measured to assess hypothalamus and HPAA function. Results indicated that the maternal temperature of sows on the FO diet returned to baseline levels faster than sows on the AL and CON diets after LPS immune challenge (P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no difference in the maternal cortisol response across the dietary treatments (P > 0.10). Regardless of the dietary treatments, the maternal LPS immune challenge induced a greater cortisol response in male offspring (P = 0.05) and a greater fever response in female offspring (P = 0.03) when they were LPS immune challenged post-weaning. Male offspring from LPS-immune-challenged sows fed the FO and AL diets had a greater fever response than male offspring from the maternal CON diet group (P ≤ 0.05). Last, no effect of the complex or simple weaning diets was observed for the nursery pig cortisol or fever responses to LPS immune challenge. In conclusion, LPS immune challenge during late pregnancy altered responsiveness of the offspring hypothalamus and HPAA to this same microbial stressor, and a sex-specific response was influenced by maternal dietary supplementation with FO and AL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 41-d feeding trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of a corn-expressed phytase (GZ; GraINzyme, Agrivida Inc. Woburn, MA) on the live performance, bone characteristics, and P digestibility of nursery pigs fed a reduced P diet. Weaned piglets (21 ± 3 d; n = 324) were acclimated on a common diet for 7 d (phase 1) before randomization into 54 single-sex pens (5 gilt and 4 barrow pens per treatment) containing 6 pigs (6.6 ± 1.2 kg) per pen. Six treatments were fed: positive control (PC ; 0.4% or 0.32% aP for phase 2 or 3 and 4, respectively), negative control (NC ; 0.15% reduction in aP), and 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 FTU per kg phytase from GZ added to NC in a 3-phase feeding program. Pigs were weighed on day 1, 14, 28, and 41, and feed disappearance recorded per phase. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P was determined by feeding chromic oxide marker (day 28 to 35) and collecting fecal samples on day 35. On day 41, 4 pigs per pen were euthanized and metacarpal bones were collected to evaluate bone breaking strength (BBS) and ash. Data were analyzed using PROC GLM of SAS (block, sex, and treatment). Treatment least squares means were separated and linear and quadratic treatment effects evaluated. Other than feed efficiency (G:F) and day 15 to 28 ADFI, the pigs fed PC were superior (P < 0.05) to NC-fed pigs in all other variables. Pigs fed ≥500 FTU per kg phytase had increased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI compared to NC pigs and equivalent (P > 0.05) ADG and ADFI as PC pigs from day 0 to 41. Feeding ≥500 FTU per kg phytase resulted in higher (P < 0.05) ATTD of P than both NC and PC pigs and higher (P < 0.05) BBS and bone ash weight than NC. Pigs fed 1,000 or 2,000 FTU per kg phytase had equivalent (P > 0.05) BBS and bone ash weight compared to pigs fed PC diets. Feeding 4,000 FTU per kg phytase resulted in higher (P < 0.05) day 1 to 41 ADG, ATTD of P, and bone ash weight compared to feeding ≤1,000 FTU per kg phytase or PC diets. There were linear (P < 0.05) increases in ADG, ADFI, ATTD of P, BBS, and bone ash characteristics as GZ inclusion increased. In conclusion, ≥500 FTU per kg phytase from GZ improved growth, ATTD of P, BBS, and bone ash when added to a reduced P diet and 4,000 FTU per kg phytase increased growth greater than the PC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three studies were conducted to determine the effects of source and concentration of Na and Cl on pig growth performance from 7 to 12 kg. In all three experiments, pigs were fed a common diet (0.33% Na and 0.77% Cl) for 7 or 8 d after weaning then randomly assigned to dietary treatments. In Exp. 1, 360 mixed-sex pigs were used in a 14-d study with 15 replications per treatment and six pigs per pen. Treatments included a 10% dried whey diet with 0.60% added salt (0.37% Na and 0.75% Cl); or three diets with 7.2% crystalline lactose with either: 0.35% added salt (0.18% Na and 0.47% Cl); 0.78% added salt (0.35% Na and 0.72% Cl); or 1.15% NaHCO3 and 0.40% KCl (0.35% Na and 0.45% Cl). Pigs fed the 0.78% added salt-lactose diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the 0.35% added salt-lactose diet, with others intermediate. In Exp. 2, 360 barrows were used in a 14-d study with 12 replications per treatment and five pigs per pen. Treatments included two added salt diets (providing 0.13% Na and 0.35% Cl or 0.35% Na and 0.68% Cl), three diets with Na and Cl provided by KCl and NaHCO3 (0.13%, 0.35%, or 0.57% Na and 0.50% Cl), or a diet with NaHCO3 and CaCl2 (0.35% Na and 0.50% Cl). Regardless of Na source, ADG and ADFI increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as dietary Na increased from 0.13% to 0.35%, with no further benefits observed thereafter. There was no evidence for differences among pigs fed NaCl or NaHCO3 nor evidence for differences among pigs fed the different Na and Cl sources at similar concentrations. In Exp. 3, 300 pigs were used in a 21-d trial with 10 replications per treatment and five pigs per pen. Treatments included a control diet with added salt to provide 0.33% Na and 0.55% Cl or five diets with 0.33 % Na and added KCl to provide 0.09, 0.21, 0.32, 0.45, or 0.55% Cl. ADG and G:F increased (quadratic, P < 0.035) as Cl increased from 0.09% to 0.32%. Pigs fed the control diet (added salt) and the 0.55% Cl diet had similar ADG. For ADG and ADFI, the broken line linear model indicated a breakpoint of 0.23% Cl. For G:F, the quadratic polynomial model suggested the maximum at 0.38% Cl. In conclusion, 7 to 12 kg pigs fed diets that contained at least 0.35% Na and 0.38% Cl had greater ADG and G:F compared to pigs fed diets with lower concentrations and minimal effects were observed among the sources of Na or Cl used in these studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplementary l -lysine sources include l -lysine HCl and l -lysine sulfate. l -Lysine sulfate contains at least 50% l -Lys and other components as residues from the fermentation process, other amino acids, and other organic and inorganic substances, being an alternative to l -Lys HCl. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative bioavailability (RBV) of l -Lys sulfate in comparison with l -Lys HCl and its effects on performance, blood parameters, intestinal functionality, and the apparent total tract digestibility in nursery piglets. A total of 168 female piglets (DB90 × PIC337), weaned at 22 d (BW = 6.29 ± 0.41 kg), were distributed in seven dietary treatments and eight replicates, with three pigs per pen. The experimental period of 42 d was divided into two phases (phase 1, days 0–21; phase 2, days 21 to 42). The basal diet (CON) was lysine-deficient formulated to meet 73% of standardized ileal digestible Lys requirements. For the other diets, the CON was supplemented with three levels (80%, 90%, and 100% of standardized ileal digestible Lys requirements) of l -Lys sulfate (70% l -Lys) or l -Lys HCl (79% l -Lys). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the performance and concentrations of plasma urea and creatinine between the l -Lys sources. The RBV of l -Lys sulfate relative to l -Lys HCl was 106%, 119%, and 117% for effects on ADG, G:F, and plasma urea, respectively. Lys deficiency resulted in a greater (P < 0.05) incidence of diarrhea, while pigs supplemented with Lys sulfate or Lys HCl showed greater (P < 0.05) villus height in the jejunum when compared to those receiving the CON. Diets supplemented with l -Lys sulfate had greater (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, and crude protein. In conclusion, the RBV of l -Lys sulfate for effects on ADG, G:F, and plasma urea is equivalent to that of l -Lys HCl for nursery piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of a bacterial 6-phytase on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and retention of phosphorus (P) in nursery and growing pigs. In experiment (Exp.) 1, twelve barrows (initial BW of 8.5 ± 0.3 kg) were individually housed in metabolism crates and were allotted based on a quadruplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design with three treatments and three periods. In Exp. 2, twelve barrows (initial BW of 35.7 ± 1.9 kg) were individually housed in metabolism crates and were allotted following the same experimental design of Exp. 1. The dietary treatments were: positive control (PC): a diet formulated meeting nutrient requirements from NRC (2012); negative control (NC): a diet 0.14% deficient in the Ca and P requirements; and a diet with bacterial 6-phytase at 500 FTU/kg of feed (PHY; Rovabio PhyPlus, Adisseo, France). Each period lasted for eight days, and consisted of a 4-day adaptation period and a 4-day collection period. All pigs were weighed at the end of each period to adjust daily feed allowance. Chromium oxide, at 0.5%, was added as an external marker indicating the start and end of fecal collection. Urine and fecal samples were collected daily and stored until further chemical analysis. Data from both experiments were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Treatments were considered fixed effects, and the individual pig and period were included as random effects. In both experiments, the ATTD of Ca and P, and P retention in PC were greater (P < 0.05) compared with NC. Supplementation of bacterial 6-phytase improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of Ca (45 to 57%) and P (31 to 45%) and P retention (31 to 43%) in nursery pigs, and ATTD of P (44 to 55%) and P retention (42 to 54%) in growing pigs. No differences were detected on the ATTD of DM and CP of nursery and growing pigs among the treatments, and on nitrogen (N) retention for growing pigs. In conclusion, the supplementation of a bacterial 6-phytase improved the ATTD and retention of P in nursery and growing pigs. Results from both experiments indicated that the supplementation of a bacterial 6-phytase in diets for nursery and growing pigs can be a potential alternative to reduce the high levels of inorganic P sources, whereas still increasing the digestibility and utilization of P by nursery and growing pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dealing with E. coli in the early post-weaning period has been an ongoing theme in the swine industry since many years. Many strategies have been putted in place in order to reduce the issue. Knowledge in nutrition and use of specific feed additive have for sure led the way as solution to overcome those enteric challenge. We also saw a shift over the last 10-15 years for an increase in wean age in order to have a more robust and well-developed pig at weaning. Despite those improvements, use of pharmacological dose of zinc in the early phase post-weaning has remain a key strategy to control E. coli. On the other hand, in some case, efficacy of the historical pharmacological dose of zinc of 2000 to 25000 ppm for the first 2-3 weeks post-weaning seem to be not sufficient to control E. coli challenge. Higher dose and/or use over an extended period of time seem to be more common those days. The reason why we are talking more and more about zinc oxide is that many countries, mostly in Europe, have restricted/banded to use of high dose of zinc in any diet for pig. Limit have now been set at level around 150 ppm. Concern about environmental impact, but mostly about link with antibiotic resistance have been the main concern toward the ban of pharmacological dose of zinc. Canada feed regulations is under review and expectation is that we will also have a ban on high dose of zinc. With that in mind, our group have worked toward finding way to successfully feeding pig with low level of zinc and try to limit the impact of E. coli. We have run multiple research projects throughout the year and we are still conducting project that focus on feeding low level of zinc. Our belief and observation are that the success rely on a broader approach vs the use of single additive to replace the zinc oxide. We are talking about nutritional concept that include a complete review of how we approach the formulation of the diets for nursery pigs. Energy and protein level, use of fiber, specific feed additive, feed and water acidification are some of the strategies that need to be reviewed and evaluated in order to have a complete solution and to ensure better rate of success. The presentation will cover our experience throughout the last 10 years with the change that we implemented and that seem to allow for being successful in feeding pig in nursery with lower zinc oxide level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 360 pigs (DNA 200'400, initially 5.0 kg) were used in a 45-d growth trial to determine the effects of fiber source and crude protein (CP) level in diets without pharmacological levels of ZnO on nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter (DM). Pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 treatments with 5 pigs/pen and 9 pens/treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2×4 factorial with main effects of CP (21 or 18%) and fiber source [none, coarse wheat bran (CWB), oat hulls, or cellulose (Arbocel, J. Rettenmaier USA, Schoolcraft, MI)]. Fiber source was added to equalize the level of insoluble fiber contributed from 4% CWB, resulting in the addition of 1.85% oat hulls or 1.55% cellulose. Diets were fed in two phases (d 0 to 10 and 10 to 24) followed by a common diet (d 24 to 45). The 21% CP diets contained 1.40% SID Lys in phase 1 and 1.35% SID Lys in phase 2. Treatment diets were formulated to a maximum SID Lys:digestible CP level of 6.35%, thus SID Lys decreased in the 18% CP (1.25% SID Lys) diets. Data were analyzed using the lmer function in R. No fiber source × CP level interactions (P >0.05) were observed. Decreasing dietary CP decreased (P = 0.05) ADG, G:F, and d 24 BW. Overall, ADG and d 45 BW decreased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed 18% CP diets. No main effects of fiber source were observed for growth performance throughout the study. Fecal DM increased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed added cellulose compared to pigs fed no fiber or CWB in the experimental period. In conclusion, reducing dietary CP decreased growth performance and the inclusion of cellulose improved fecal DM of nursery pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to determine if feeding thermally processed (TP, heated at 100°C for 120 h) spray-dried egg whites (SDEW) to nursery pigs would impact growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE, N, and S, and oxidative stress. Thirty-two barrows, (initial BW 7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments with 1 pig per pen. In a preliminary study, thermally processing SDEW at 100°C for 120 h increased protein carbonyls (PC) from 6 μmol/g to 19.4 μmol/g (P ≤ 0.01). Diets included either 12% SDEW, 6% TP-SDEW plus 6% SDEW, or 12% TP-SDEW. The experiment lasted 24 d for collection of growth performance data, while plasma was collected on d 21 and liver tissue harvested on d 24 to analyze for markers of oxidative stress. Feces were collected on d 22 for measures of ATTD. Daily gain, daily feed intake, feed efficiency, and ATTD of GE were not found to be different among dietary treatments (P ≥ 0.57). In contrast, ATTD of N (P = 0.11) and S (P = 0.03) were found to increase with increasing protein oxidation in the diet. There was no change in the plasma or liver F2-isoprostanes and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine among dietary treatments (P ≥ 0.28). An increase in plasma PC (P = 0.02) was observed in pigs fed 12% TP-SDEW compared to pigs fed 12% SDEW and pigs fed 6% TP-SDEW. In contrast, a decrease in liver tissue PC (P = 0.04) was observed in pigs fed 6% TP-SDEW compared to pigs fed 12% SDEW and 12% TP-SDEW. These results indicate that feeding TP-SDEW does not affect growth performance, ATTD of GE, and oxidative stress as indicated by F2-isoprostanes or 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine; but appeared to have variable effects on oxidative stress as measured by PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate Yarrowia lipolytica (YL) as a lipid supplement fed to nursery pigs for the growth performance and apparent ileal digestibility (AID). Twenty-four pigs weaned at 21 d of age (12 barrows and 12 gilts with initial BW at 7.2 ± 0.6 kg) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments (n = 8) based on the randomized complete block design with sex and BW as blocks. The main effect was the dietary supplementation of YL (0, 1.5, and 3.0%, replacing poultry fat) with nutrients meeting or exceeding the requirements by NRC (2012) and fed to pigs for 21 d based on 2 phases. Feed intake and BW were recorded at d 0, 10, and 21 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Fecal scores were recorded at every odd day from d 3 to 19. Pigs were euthanized on d 21 to collect ileal digesta for AID of nutrients in diets. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS. There were no differences in growth performance among treatments. Whereas, pigs fed 0 and 1.5% YL had higher (P < 0.05) AID of DM (55.0 and 52.2% to 40.2%, respectively) and GE (62.1 and 60.6% to 49.8%, respectively) than pigs fed 3% YL. There were no differences in AID of DM and GE between the pigs fed 0% and 1.5% YL. In conclusion, 1.5% Yarrowia lipolytica could be supplemented in nursery pig diets reducing 0.8% of poultry fat without affecting growth performance and AID of DM and GE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases cause tremendous financial loss in the pork industry, emphasizing the importance of disease resilience, which is the ability of an animal to maintain performance under disease. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for disease resilience based on both univariate and bivariate genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Data used were late nursery and finisher growth rates and clinical disease phenotypes, including medical treatment and mortality rates, subjective health scores, feed and water intake traits and carcass traits, collected on 50 batches of 60 or 75 crossbred (LRxY) barrows under a polymicrobial natural disease challenge. Multiple QTL were detected for all traits. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region (22-25 Mb on chromosome 7) was found to be associated with multiple traits, including late nursery and finisher growth rates, average daily feed intake and intake rate, average daily water dispensed, water intake duration, and number of visits to the drinker. The MHC region explained ~13% of genetic variance for late nursery growth rate. Further fine mapping identified four QTL in the MHC region for late nursery growth rate that spanned the class I, II, and III regions. Gene set enrichment analyses found genomic regions associated with resilience phenotypes to be enriched for previously identified disease susceptibility and immune capacity QTL, for genes that were differentially expressed following bacterial or virus infection and immune response, and for gene ontology terms related to immune and inflammatory response. In conclusion, MHC and other QTL identified play an important role in host response to infectious diseases and can be incorporated in selection to improve disease resilience. Funded by Genome Canada, Genome Alberta, USDA-NIFA, and PigGen Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of total or partial replacement of animal and fish proteins with a fortified protein blend (PROPLEX MVP) on growth performance of nursery piglets. PROPLEX MVP is a blend of two distinct fermentation biomass streams, refined soybean products, select amino acids, and a NSP enzyme complex. A total of 306 barrows and gilts [(Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire), avg. 22 d age and BW 6.37 ± 1.24 kg)] were used in a randomized complete block design with three dietary treatments, each with 19 replicates (pens) of 5 piglets. Dietary treatments were: 1) Control diet (CONT) with animal and fish protein sources (Blood meal, Spray-dried Plasma, and Fish meal); 2) PROPLEX MVP (MVP): CONT with MVP replacing Fish meal; 3) PROPLEX MVP 100 (MVP100): CONT with MVP replacing 100% of animal and fish proteins. Pigs were fed a budgeted amount per head of the assigned experimental diets for the first three feeding phases (Phase 1: 2.3 kg/pig; Phase 2: 4.5 kg/pig; Phase 3: 6.8 kg/pig). A common diet was provided in Phase 4 until day 42 post-weaning. Pigs fed CONT had greater ADG (P < 0.05) compared to MVP100 pigs d 0-7 post-weaning. From d 7 to 14, pigs fed MVP and MVP100 had a significantly greater ADG and G:F (P < 0.05) than pigs fed CONT diet. For the remainder of the experimental period (d 14 to 42), no differences (P > 0.10) were observed among treatments. The use of MVP100 reduced (P < 0.05) the total nursery feed cost by US $1.03/pig and feed cost/kg of weight gain by 12%. In conclusion, MVP protein blend can effectively substitute for animal and fish proteins sources without compromising overall nursery pigs' growth performance and results in significant feed cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimal dietary concentration of standardized total tract digestible (STTD) Ca for growth and feed efficiency of nursery pigs. A total of 2,185 pigs (initial BW =11.2 ± 1.4 kg) were blocked according to BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments, with STTD Ca formulated to 0.38, 0.46, 0.54, 0.62, 0.70, or 0.78% by increasing dietary limestone at the expense of corn. Each treatment had 16 replicate pens with 23 pigs per pen. Corn and soybean-based diets were formulated to contain 0.36% STTD P, which exceeds NRC 2012 (+9%). This resulted in STTD Ca: STTD P ranging from 1.1 to 2.2. To minimize variation, 2 basal diets were produced (0.38 and 0.78% Ca diets), and then blended on site to produce the intermediary levels. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (Cary, NC) with fixed effect of diet and random effect of block. Prediction equations were generated using the FITTED GROUP of JMP with goodness of fit techniques to optimize the R2 value and RMSE. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) declined linearly (P = 0.011) with increasing levels of STTD Ca in the diet, and is described by: FCR = [1.456 + (0.115 x STTD Ca)] (R2 = 0.698, RMSE = 0.013). Final pig weight tended to increase (quadratic, P = 0.110) as dietary STTD Ca increased, and is described by: BW = [22.77 – (0.55 x STTD Ca) – (7.72 x (STTD Ca – 0.58)2] (R2 = 0.696, RMSE = 0.135). Exceeding 0.70% STTD Ca (2.0:1.0 STTD Ca: STTD P) reduced pig growth, FCR, and profitability. Adequate STTD Ca levels ranged from 0.46 to 0.62% (STTD Ca:STTD P, 1.3 to 1.8), but growth and profit were optimized at 0.54% (1.5:1.0 STTD Ca: STTD P). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated storing 3 commercial phytases for 90 d in an environmental chamber set at 29.4°C and 75% humidity on phytase stability and nursery pig growth performance and bone mineralization. The phytases [HiPhos GT (20,000 FYT/g, DSM Nutritional Products, Parsippany, NJ); Axtra Phy TPT (20,000 FTU/g, Dupont, Wilmington, DE), and Quantum Blue G (40,000 FTU/g, AB Vista, Plantation, FL)] were kept as pure forms or blended in a vitamin-trace mineral (VTM) premix and sampled on d 0, 30, 60, and 90 of storage. Regardless of source and form, analyzed phytase activity decreased (linear, P < 0.001) as storage increased. Afterwards, 300 nursery pigs (11.7 kg BW) were assigned to 1 of 8 treatments in a RCBD with 4-5 pigs/pen and 8 pens/treatment. Treatments included a negative (NC, 0.12% aP) and positive control (PC, 0.27% aP) without phytase; or NC with added phytase to provide 0.15% aP (1,000, 651 and 500 FTU/kg for HiPhos, Axtra Phy, and Quantum Blue, respectively). Negative control with added phytase treatments were manufactured with each phytase source previously stored in pure form or VTM premix for 90d. Pigs fed PC had greater (P < 0.001) ADG compared to pigs fed Axtra Phy stored in VTM or NC. Feed intake was similar for PC, phytases stored in pure forms, and HiPhos and Quantum Blue stored in VTM, and greater (P < 0.001) than pigs fed NC. Pigs fed PC or HiPhos stored in pure form had improved (P < 0.001) G:F compared to pigs fed NC. Bone mineralization was greater (P < 0.001) for pigs fed PC compared to NC, phytases stored in VTM, and Axtra Phy and Quantum Blue stored in pure form. Regardless of source and form, phytase activity decreased as storage increased. In this study, bone ash was reduced when phytases were stored for 90d in a VTM compared to the PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the interactive effects of Zn sources, Cu sources and phytase on growth performance in nursery pigs. A total of 288 weaning barrows (BW = 5.71 ± 0.81 kg), blocked by initial body weight, were randomly allotted to 1 of 8 dietary treatments, with 9 pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. The 8 dietary treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design, with 2 Zn sources [2000 ppm Zn from ZnO during phase 1 (d 1 to 14) and 2 (d 15 to 28), and 100 ppm Zn from ZnO during phase 3 (d 29 to 42); 100 ppm Zn from Zn methionine hydroxy analogue chelate (Zn-MHAC, MINTREX® Zn, Novus International Inc. St. Charles, MO) during phase 1 to 3], 2 Cu sources [150 ppm Cu from CuSO4 or Cu-MHAC (MINTREX® Cu) during phase 1, and 80 ppm Cu from CuSO4 or Cu-MHAC during phase 2 and 3], and 2 phytase inclusion levels (0, 500 FTU/kg). Results showed that there were no differences (P > 0.10) between ZnO and Zn-MHAC groups in terms of growth performance during the entire nursery period. Compared with CuSO4, Cu-MHAC tended to increase ADG (P = 0.07) and G:F (P = 0.08) during the entire nursery period. There tended to be an interaction (P = 0.09) between Cu sources and phytase on G:F during phase 2. Specifically, without phytase supplementation, there was no difference (P = 0.63) on G:F during phase 2 between Cu-MHAC and CuSO4, whereas with phytase supplementation, Cu-MHAC increased G:F during phase 2 (P = 0.05) compared with CuSO4. In conclusion, Zn-MHAC supplementation at 100 ppm could replace pharmacological level of ZnO without affecting growth performance. Cu-MHAC could improve growth performance compared with CuSO4. Cu-MHAC exerted synergistic effect with phytase on improving feed efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the optimal level of fermented soybean meal (FSBM; Fermex 200, Purina Animal Nutrition, Arden Hills, MN) in nursery diets, a total of 176 weaned pigs (5.96 kg BW) were blocked by initial BW and allotted to 1 of 4 treatments: Control consisted of an enzymatic soybean protein (HP 300, Hamlet Protein, Horsens, Denmark)-poultry byproduct diet or formulated with 5%, 10% and 15% FSBM to achieve FSBM1, FSBM2, and FSBM3 treatments. Pigs remained on the same dietary treatment for phase 1 (d 0–14) and 2 (d 14–29), while a common diet was fed in phase 3 (d 29–40). Individual pig weights and pen feed disappearance were recorded weekly. Blood was taken via jugular venipuncture and analyzed for complete blood cell count on d 0, 14, 29 and 40 from one pig/pen (n = 44) that represented the average BW for each pen. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedures of SAS (Cary, NC) with dietary treatment as the fixed effect, and initial BW block as the random effect. Orthogonal contrasts were performed to test for linear, quadratic and cubic responses to increasing levels of FSBM. A quadratic response to increasing FSBM was observed in ADG (P = 0.06) and ADFI (P = 0.04) during phase 1&2 (d 0–29). Moreover, the heaviest BW was observed in pigs fed 10% FSBM on d 29 (quadratic, P = 0.06), however the difference diminished by the end of the trial. A tendency for a linear increase with increasing level of FSBM was observed in overall feed efficiency (d 0–40, P = 0.07). Pigs fed 10% FSBM had the lowest WBC, neutrophil, and red blood cell count. Results of this study suggest FSBM fed to pigs improves growth performance and alters blood cell characteristics, and 10% is the optimal level of FSBM to include in early nursery diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the independent and additive effects of Cordyceps mushroom powder and carbadox to pharmacological copper+zinc in nursery pig diets. Two hundred-ten crossbred weanling pigs [(Duroc × (York × Landrace)] avg. 19 d of age and 5.8 kg were used in a 33 day growth trial. Pigs were alloted by weight, sex, ancestry, and assigned to body weight (BW) blocks. Within BW blocks, sex ratios were constant in each pen. Pen was the experimental unit and growth performance was analyzed using BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F. There were 7 pigs/pen and 6 pens/treatment. Treatments were: 1) a negative diet (NC); 2) positive control (PC; Carbadox, 55 ppm); 3) NC+300 ppm Cordyceps mushroom powder (NC+MP); 4) PC +300 ppm mushroom(PC+MP); 5) supplemental copper sulfate (125 ppm) and zinc oxide (3000 ppm d 0-7, 2000 ppm d 7-35), CuZn. Dietary treatments were fed in a four-phase feeding program (d0-7, d7-14, d14-21, and d21-33). There were no interactions between MP and Carbadox at any time point (P > 0.10). Pigs fed the PC, PC+MP and CuZn treatment had increased BW (P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.05), ADFI (P < 0.10) and G:F (P < 0.05) over the NC at the end of phases 1, 2, and 3, with no main effect of MP treatment. During Phase 4, pigs fed MP, PC, and CuZn diets all had increased ADG (P < 0.05; 431, 477, 455, 505, 486 g/d, diet 1-5, respectively) and ADFI (P < 0.05) over the NC fed pigs. Overall, d0-33, PC diets and CuZn supplemented pigs had increased ADG (P < 0.05) and ADFI (P < 0.05), with pigs fed MP tending to have increased ADFI (P < 0.08) over NC fed pigs. Feeding nursery pigs pharmacological levels of Cu+Zn and carbadox have economical value to increase nursery pig performance with MP may increase pig ADFI and final BW through potentially complimentary modes of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 3,171 pigs (PIC 327×L42; initially 5.8 kg) were used in a 39-d study. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with 0 or 1% cellulose (Arbocel, J. Rettenmaier USA, Schoolcraft, MI) and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS; 0 or 5% in phase 1 and 0 or 15% in phase 2). Dietary phases 1 and 2 were offered from d 0 to 10 and 10 to 25, respectively. From d 25 to 39, pigs received a common diet with 25% DDGS. Pens were blocked by weight and allotted to treatments in a randomized complete block design. Experimental unit was two pens (66 pigs) sharing a fence-line feeder with 12 replicates per treatment. Data were analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with block as random effect. From d 0 to 25 and d 0 to 39, there was an interaction (P < 0.05) between cellulose and DDGS for ADG. Pigs fed diets with both DDGS and cellulose had lower ADG than those fed diets without DDGS, with pigs fed diets with DDGS without the addition of cellulose being intermediate. From d 25 to 39, there was a tendency (P = 0.080) for an interaction for ADFI. Pigs previously fed diets without DDGS and with cellulose had higher ADFI than those fed diets with DDGS and cellulose, and pigs previously fed diets without cellulose had similar ADFI regardless of DDGS inclusion. There was a tendency for an interaction (P = 0.070) for pig removals. Adding cellulose to diets without DDGS numerically decreased pig removals, but the inclusion of cellulose to diets with DDGS resulted in increased pig removals. In summary, adding fiber to the diet as cellulose or DDGS resulted in a less pig removals; however, adding both cellulose and DDGS decreased ADG and ADFI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four hundred (PIC 337 X Camborough, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) and 800 (PIC 359 X C29) barrows and gilts were used to determine the impact of avilamycin (Kavault®, Elanco, Greenfield, IN) on nursery pig performance. Upon weaning, the lightest 10% of pigs were sorted off to form one replication and the remaining pigs were sorted by sex and placed into blocks with 25 pigs/pen. Six of the 48 pens were assigned to a non-feed grade medication control treatment. Remaining blocks were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (50 g Mecadox/ton, 73 g Kavault/ton d0 to d21, 73 g Kavault/ton d0 to d42). Diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC (2012) recommendations. Pen weights and feed intake information were collected for calculation of ADG, ADFI, and F:G. Pigs were vaccinated against porcine circovirus, Mycoplasma hyopnuemoniae, Salmonella , and Lawsonia. Diagnostic samples showed presence of E. coli and Salmonella. Pigs were PRRSv and PEDv negative. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with pen as experimental unit and treatment as a fixed effect. LSMeans were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and considered a trend at P > 0.05 and P ≤ 0.10. Final body weight (d42) was not significantly different (P = 0.26), but there were numerical improvements in body weight for all medication treatments compared to the control (0.68, 0.68, and 1.5 kg for Mecadox, Kavault 21 d and Kavault 42 d respectively). Overall ADG (0.46, 0.45, 0.48, 0.45 kg, respectively) was greatest and F:G was lowest for the Kavault 42d treatment, although differences were not always significant (P > 0.05). Feeding medications numerically lowered the percentage of injectable medication intervention compared to controls (110.8, 12.7, 137.2, and 156.0%, respectively). Avilamycin appears to be an effective medication option for pigs in 42 d nursery programs but the anticipated response may differ depending on feeding duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is common commercial practice in wean-to-finish facilities to pin pigs in large groups during the nursery phase. The effect of overstocking on wean-to-finish performance has been studied; however, there is limited information on the effect of group size during the nursery period on overall growth performance, particularly in PRRS positive populations. This study was carried out using a RCBD (blocking factor date of start of test) to evaluate the effect of 3 nursery group size treatments (61, 79, and 96 pigs/pen) on wean-to-finish growth performance (from 6.0 ± 0.10 to 122.2 ±0.8kg BW) in a PRRS positive population. During the 7-wk nursery period, when the group-size treatments were applied, pigs were housed in mixed-sex pens; floor space for all treatments was 2.4ft2/pig. After the nursery period, pigs on all treatments were housed in groups of 34 at a floor space of 6.5ft2/pig. A total of 3,672 pigs in 12 replicates were used. Pen of pigs was the experimental unit; data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc. Cary, NC) with the model including fixed effect of group size treatment and random effects of block and replicate. During the period from weaning to wk 7 post-weaning, when the group size treatments were applied, growth rate and live weight was lower (P < 0.05) for the largest group size (96 pigs) than for the 2 smaller group sizes (61 and 79 pigs). However, subsequently from wk 7 to end of test and for the overall wean-to-finish growth performance was similar (P > 0.05) for the 3 group size treatments. This study showed that group size (at the same floor space) had an effect on growth performance in the nursery period but had no effect on overall wean-to-finish growth performance in PRRS positive pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four commercial feed additives (CFA) were evaluated for efficacy in detoxifying deoxynivalenol (DON) in diets fed to 144 nursery pigs (BW 9.80+/- 0.5kg; 2 gilts, and 2 barrows/pen). Six test corn-soybean-meal based diets were: 1) positive control (PC), formulated with clean corn (NC), 2) formulated with contaminated corn (5.5 ppm DON), 3) NC with enzyme+binder1 (NCB1), 4) NC with clay (NCC), 5) NC with enzyme+binder2 (NCB2) and 6) NC with sodium metabisulfite (NCP). Diets were allocated to pens (n = 6) based on BW and fed ad-libitum for 4-wk; BW and feed intake were monitored weekly. At the end of wk-1, one pig/pen was euthanized for tissue collection. Assayed DON concentration for PC, NC, NCB1, NCC, NCB2 and NCP were 0.38, 2.3, 2.3, 2.3, 2.4, and 1.9 ppm, respectively. Diet effects were only observed for ADG and G:F in wk-1; pigs fed NCP had higher (P = 0.01) ADG compared to pigs fed NC and NCC, whilst pigs fed other diets had intermediate and similar ADG (P > 0.05) to pigs fed NC or NCC. Pigs fed NCP showed higher (P = 0.02) G:F relative to pigs fed other diets. The final BW was 31.3, 30.8, 30.4, 30.8, 31.1 and 32.2kg for PC, NC, NCB1, NCC, NCB2 and NCP-fed pigs, respectively. There were no (P > 0.05) diet effects on ADFI throughout the study. There was no (P > 0.05) diet effects on liver and spleen weight, jejunum morphology and concentration of plasma creatinine and urea. Ceca digesta concentration of citric acid was higher (P = 0.03) in pigs fed NCP than pigs fed NCB2. In conclusion, the lack of differences between PC and NC suggested pigs were tolerant to higher DON levels than the regulated dietary maximum of 1 ppm. Improved ADG and G:F due to NCP vs. NC was transient and was not linked to physiological responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus is an economically significant pathogen that antagonizes production in all stages of the swine industry. In nursery pigs, it increases the risk of mortality and reduces growth performance parameters. Thus, the objective of this study was to further understand how PRRS virus infection and its associated viremia and serology levels related to febrile response and performance in nursery pigs. Over two replicates, 37 three-week post-weaned PRRS naïve gilts (11.2 ± 2.56 kg BW) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: Control (CON, n = 16) or PRRS virus-inoculated (PRRS+, n = 21). All pigs were housed individually in a BSL2 facility for the 21 d test period. PRRS serology, BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were determined at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days post inoculation (dpi). Core body temperatures were collected daily using a biosensor microchip. Data was analyzed using mixed procedure of SAS with dpi as a repeated effect and CON or PRRS+ as a treatment effect. Treatment, dpi and their interactions were assessed. As expected, viremia and antibody titers in PRRS+ pigs were significantly different compared to CON pigs, which remained negative (P < 0.001). The lowest PRRS Ct was observed at dpi 7, while antibody titers were highest between dpi 14 to 21 (P < 0.001). Compared with the CON, PRRS+ reduced BW gains by 17, 33 and 42% at dpi 7, 14 and 21 respectively (P < 0.001). The PRRS challenge also reduced ADFI by 30, 67 and 68% at dpi 7, 14 and 21 respectively, compared to CON (P < 0.001). The febrile response in the PRRS+ pigs peaked between dpi 7 and 14 then returned to CON baseline level by dpi 21 (P < 0.001). Overall, PRRS virus challenge induced a sustained febrile response that contributes to the attenuated performance of nursery pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously reported that crowding in the nursery decreased growth rate and affected blood chemistry and hematology measures in gilts. In the current experiment, weanling gilts were allowed decreased floor space in the nursery to determine effects of crowding on their future litter sizes and retention as sows. Of 2,537 gilts classified at weaning as large (6.92 kg), medium (4.42 kg), or small (5.60 kg) and reared in nursery pens of 14, 11, or 8 pigs (to allow 0.15, 0.19, or 0.27 m2 floor space/pig, respectively), 1,453 gilts were selected for breeding and distributed among 11 sow farms. As expected, total litter size (12.94, 13.28, and 13.99; SE = 0.13) and born alive (12.21, 12.64, and 13.23; SE = 0.11) increased (P < 0.01) from parity one to three. A tendency (P = 0.08) existed for a quadratic relationship between space and total litter size [13.39, 13.54, and 13.27 (SE = 0.13) for gilts allowed 0.15, 0.19, or 0.27 m2 floor space/pig, respectively]. A linear effect of pig size (P = 0.03) on stillborns was detected (0.64, 0.75, and 0.75, for small, medium, and large, respectively). There was no effect of space on the percentages of gilts completing zero (P = 0.36), one (P = 0.35), two (P = 0.32) or three (P = 0.50) parities. However, the percentage of small gilts completing zero parities was greater (P < 0.01), and the percentage completing one parity was less (P < 0.01) than for large or medium gilts. Abortion rate was greater (P < 0.01) in gilts classified as small (2.51%) or medium (1.36%) compared with large (0.20%). Floor space allowed in the nursery did not remarkably affect litter sizes or retention through three parities in sows. Compared with larger pigs, however, more small pigs entering the breeding herd did not complete a parity and displayed a greater abortion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the standardized total tract digestible phosphorus (STTD P) requirement of nursery pigs from 11 to 23 kg fed diets containing 1,000 phytase units (FYT). A total of 2,140 barrows and gilts (PIC 359×Camborough, initial BW 11.1 ± 0.24 kg) were used in a 21-d growth trial with 24 to 27 pigs per pen and 12 pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design. The 7 dietary treatments consisted of 0.30, 0.33, 0.38, 0.43, 0.48, 0.53, and 0.58% STTD P, which represented 90, 100, 115, 130, 145, 160 and 175%, respectively, of the NRC (2012) requirement estimate for STTD P for pigs weighing 11 to 23 kg. All diets contained 1,000 FYT of Ronozyme Hiphos 2500 (DSM Nutritional Products, Inc. Parsippany, NJ) with assumed release values of 0.15% available P and 0.132% STTD P. Treatments were achieved by increasing the amount of calcium carbonate and monocalcium phosphate at the expense of corn, while maintaining a similar 1.17:1 total Ca:total P ratio across treatments. Experimental data were analyzed with pen as the experimental unit, using generalized linear and nonlinear mixed models, which included quadratic polynomial, broken-line linear, and broken-line quadratic models. Increasing STTD P quadratically improved (P < 0.05) ADG and feed efficiency (G:F). Final BW and ADFI increased linearly (P < 0.05) up to the highest STTD P level. Income over feed cost improved quadratically (P < 0.05), with the highest income observed at 0.43% STTD P. The broken-line linear plateau was estimated at 0.40% STTD P for ADG and at 0.37% STTD P for G:F. In conclusion, the estimated STTD P requirement for nursery pigs from 11 to 23 kg fed diets containing 1,000 FYT were greater than NRC (2012) requirement estimates and ranged from 0.37 to 0.43% to optimize performance and economic return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of soybean meal (SBM) level in diets with or without distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance of late nursery pigs. A total of 1,064 and 1,011 pigs (PIC 280×1050; initially 10.5 ± 0.36 and 10.9 ± 0.22 kg) were used in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, with 21 to 27 pigs per pen. Pens were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design with 7 replicates per treatment per experiment. Treatments 1 to 3 were diets with 23% DDGS and 21, 27, or 35% SBM. Treatments 4 and 5 were corn-SBM diets with 27 or 35% SBM. Diets were balanced to 1.30% standardized ileal digestible lysine and 2,606 kcal of net energy/kg. Data were analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit and block as random effect. There was no evidence for treatment × experiment interactions, thus data from both trials were combined. Feeding diets with 23% DDGS decreased (P = 0.033) ADFI and improved (P = 0.033) G:F compared to corn-SBM diets, which may indicate underestimation of DDGS net energy. When analyzed as a factorial with or without DDGS, pigs fed diets with 35% SBM had a tendency (P = 0.052) for increased ADG and improved (P = 0.001) G:F compared with diets with pigs fed 27% SBM. As SBM increased from 21 to 35% in diets with DDGS, ADG (linear, P = 0.001) and G:F (quadratic, P = 0.007) improved. In summary, feeding diets with increasing SBM improved growth performance in late nursery pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While a number of approaches have been developed to counter intestinal dysfunction and reduced growth during the early post-weaning period, there is a need for improvement or development of new feed additives. A trial was performed to evaluate the impact of dietary inclusion of a peptide-based commercial product (Peptiva, Vitech Biochem Corp) on the growth and fecal microbiome of nursery pigs. A total of 746 weaned pigs (5.9 ± 0.1 kg) divided between 15 control (standard nursery diet) and 15 treatment pens (control diet with Peptiva at 1, 0.5, and 0.3%, for each respective phase) received their assigned diets for 6 wks (Phase I: d0 – 7; Phase II, d8 – 21; Phase III, d22 – 42). No significant difference in body weight, daily gain, daily feed intake or gain:feed was observed between control and treatment animals (P > 0.05). Microbiome analysis was conducted using 10 fecal samples collected at the end of Phase II and 10 samples at the end of Phase III. Bacterial composition was assessed by Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) clustering of sequence data generated from PCR amplicons targeting the V1-V3 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Eleven OTUs were found to vary in abundance between Control Phase II and Control Phase III (P < 0.05), indicating a base diet effect on bacterial composition. Three OTUs were in lower abundance in Peptiva Phase II samples compared to Control Phase II (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the abundance of these three OTUs when comparing Peptiva Phase II to Control Phase III (P > 0.05). No OTUs differed in abundance between Peptiva Phase III and Control Phase III samples. These results suggest that Peptiva can modulate the composition of the swine microbiome during a specific window of the nursery stage, potentially by accelerating its maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, we reported that supplementing a water soluble zinc via drinking water (0 to 80 mg/L) to nursery pigs improved ADG and G:F. To evaluate the efficacy of higher titrated levels of this water soluble zinc amino acid complex (ProPath®Zn LQ, Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN) on growth performance, 280 crossbred pigs (5.5 kg BW; 19 d of age) were randomly allotted to four water treatments (7 pens/treatment; 10 pigs/pen). The water treatments were 0, 40, 80 and 160 mg Zn/L of water. Pigs were fed in 4 dietary phases with complex, nutrient-dense, corn-soybean meal-based diets: Phase 1 and 2 (2,500 and 1,750 mg Zn as ZnO/kg; d 1–7 and 7–14, respectively) and Phase 3 and 4 (200 mg Cu as CuSO4/kg; d 14–23 and 23–42, respectively). Pigs and feeders were weighed weekly to determine ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Water meters were used to record and calculate water disappearance and zinc intake. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and curvilinear effects. Water and total zinc intake increased linearly (P < 0.001) with increasing water zinc concentration. From d 0–14 when high dietary zinc was fed, there were no differences (P > 0.10) in ADG, ADFI, or G:F. However, from d 14–42 when basal levels of zinc were fed, quadratic improvements in ADG (0.545, 0.561, 0.578, 0.546 kg; P < 0.05) and G:F (0.686, 0.706, 0.723, 0.702; P < 0.01) were observed with increasing zinc via water. Similarly for d 0–42, ADG (0.435, 0.440, 0.454; 0.434 kg; P = 0.07), G:F (0.726, 0.740, 0.763, 0.749; P = 0.05) and average ending wt (23.73, 23.97, 24.55, 23.70 kg; P = 0.07) improved quadratically with increasing zinc. In conclusion, supplementing ProPath®Zn LQ via water resulted in improvements in ADG and G:F for nursery pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 360 pigs (DNA 400×200, initial BW=6.8 kg) were used a 35-d trial to evaluate the effects of adding MCFA and monolaurin blends to the diet on growth performance of nursery pigs. Pens of pigs were blocked by BW and randomized to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (12 pens per treatment). Treatments consisted of a basal diet containing no MCFA (control), the control diet with 1.0% added MCFA (a 1:1:1 blend of C6, C8, and C10; Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), or a 1.0% inclusion of 4 different blends of MCFA, lactic acid, and monolaurin (1, 2, 3, and 4). The 4 blends consisted of 50% C6, 20% lactic acid and increasing levels of monolaurin (0, 10, 20, and 30%) at the expense of C12 (30, 20, 10, and 0%). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with pen as the experimental unit. From d 0 to 14, pigs fed the 1.0% 1:1:1 MCFA blend had increased (P = 0.037) ADG compared to the control group. Pigs fed the 1.0% 1:1:1 MCFA blend and the mean of the 4 blends of MCFA, lactic acid, and monolaurin had improved (P < 0.037) G:F compared with pigs fed the control diet. From d 14 to 35, ADFI and subsequently ADG increased (P < 0.057) for pigs fed the 1.0% 1:1:1 MCFA blend compared with the control group. Overall, pigs fed the 1.0% 1:1:1 MCFA blend had increased (P < 0.034) ADFI and ADG, resulting in 0.9 kg greater final BW (P = 0.014) compared with the control group. There was no evidence for differences between the mean of pigs fed blends of MCFA, lactic acid, and monolaurin compared with the control. In summary, the addition of a 1.0% 1:1:1 MCFA blend resulted in improved ADG, ADFI, and G:F compared with pigs fed a control diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that the inclusion of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) results in an improvement in nursery pig performance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate a proprietary C8:C10 MCFA blend (CaptiSURE, Kemin Industries, Inc. Des Moines, IA) on nursery pig performance. A total of 360 weaned piglets (initial BW = 6.1 kg) were randomly assigned to a control (no MCFA blend) or 10 kg/t MCFA blend (10 pigs/pen, 18 replicate pens/treatment), in which MCFA blend was substituted at the expense of tallow at a 1:1 rate. Diets were manufactured in 3 dietary phases (d 0–7, 7–21, and 21–42) in pelleted form. Due to an unintended bacterial challenge at the sow farm, pigs were treated with amoxicillin using a pulse protocol (48 hrs on / 48 hrs off) from placement to d 21. Data were analyzed using the students T-test procedure, and pen served as the experimental unit. Within dietary phase 2 (d 7–21), the inclusion of MCFA blend improved ADG (264g vs 326g, P = 0.017) and G:F (0.79 vs 0.89, P = 0.005), while exhibiting a trend to improve ADFI (330g vs 364g, P = 0.080). Within dietary phase 3 (d 21–42), the inclusion of MCFA blend improved ADG (518g vs 581g, P = 0.024) and ADFI (719g vs 799g, P = 0.006). Overall (d 0–42), the inclusion of MCFA blend improved ADG (379g vs 438g, P = 0.007), ADFI (503g vs 0.562g, P = 0.009), and G:F (0.75 vs 0.78, P = 0.042), resulting in a 2 kg heavier pig (P = 0.043). In summary, the inclusion of a proprietary C8:C10 MCFA blend at 1.0% in nursery pig diets improved growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 350 pigs (DNA 400×200, initial BW=6.3 kg) were used in a 34-d growth trial to evaluate the effects of a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA)-based feed additive in nursery pig diets. Following arrival to the nursery facility, pigs were randomized to pens (5 pigs per pen) and allowed a 4-d acclimation period. Thereafter, pens of pigs were blocked by BW and randomized to 1 of 5 dietary treatments (14 pens per treatment). Treatments were a dose response of 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0% MCFA-based additive (CaptiSURE, Kemin Industries, Inc.; Des Moines, IA) as well as a treatment including 1.0% MCFA from a 1:1:1 blend of C6, C8, and C10 (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). Treatment diets were formulated and manufactured in two dietary phases (d 0 to 13 and 13 to 34). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with pen serving as the experimental unit. Overall (d 0 to 34), increasing CaptiSURE increased (linear, P ≤ 0.014) ADG and ADFI. Feed efficiency improved (quadratic, P = 0.002) with increasing CaptiSURE up to 1% of the diet with no benefit thereafter. As a result of the linear improvement in ADG, pigs fed 2.0% CaptiSURE were 1.8 kg heavier (P = 0.05) than pigs fed diets without MCFA at d 34. There was no evidence for differences between pigs fed 1.0% CaptiSURE and pigs fed the 1.0% MCFA blend of C6, C8, and C10 in phase 1, phase 2 or in overall performance. In summary, the addition of up to 2% of this MCFA-based additive in nursery pig diets resulted in linear improvements in ADG and ADFI. The MCFA-based feed additive also resulted in a similar improvement in growth performance as the C6, C8, and C10 MCFA blend when both were added at 1% of the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the progeny of sows fed a control or probiotic diet with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin®, Calpis Co. Ltd. Tokyo, Japan) at 500,000 and 1,000,000 CFU/g diet in gestation and lactation, respectively. A total of 358 weaned pigs (DNA 241 × 600) were used in a 42-d trial with 4–5 pigs/pen and 18–19 pens/treatment. Pens were allotted to treatments in a completely randomized design based on BW at weaning. Treatments were a 2×2 factorial with main effects of sow diet (control vs. probiotic) and nursery diet (control vs. probiotic). In the nursery probiotic diet, a product based on probiotic Bacillus subtilis C-3102 at 500,000 CFU/g diet and prebiotics β-glucans and mannan oligosaccharides was included at 0.05% (BacPack ABF™, Quality Technology International, Inc. Elgin, IL). Diets were corn-soybean meal-based. Growth performance and fecal consistency on a 1-to-5 scale were evaluated weekly. Fecal samples were collected for microbial analysis by culture method and bacterial quantification of Bacillus subtilis C-3102, total Bacillus sp. Lactobacillus sp. Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp. Enterococcus sp. Enterobacteriaceae , total aerobes, and total anaerobes. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model (PROC GLIMMIX, SAS®) with pen as experimental unit. There was no evidence for effect of sow diet, nursery diet, or interactions (P > 0.10) on overall nursery growth performance and fecal consistency. However, growth performance from d 21 to 42 and final BW were greater (P < 0.05) in progeny of control-fed sows compared to probiotic-fed sows. Microbial analysis revealed an increase (P < 0.01) in Bacillus subtilis C-3102 and, consequently, total Bacillus sp. in fecal microflora of probiotic-fed pigs. In conclusion, probiotic inclusion to sow diets lowered growth performance of the progeny in late nursery. The probiotic diet provided to sows or nursery pigs did not influence fecal consistency, but altered the fecal microbial population in nursery pigs by increasing total Bacillus sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor starting nursery pigs are a common source of frustration for pork producers due to suboptimal lean tissue production and failure to thrive. This is generally a multifactorial issue with potential nutritional, infectious and management contributors. Commonly encountered respiratory and enteric pathogens include porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), influenza A virus (IAV), porcine enteric coronaviruses (TGEV/PEDV/PDCV), and group A, B, and C rotaviruses, as well as Salmonella typhimurium , enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli , Streptococcus suis , and Haemophilus parasuis. Infection with one or more of these agents can ultimately antagonize pig health and performance. However, while these specific pathogens may be causing an observed disease symptom, pigs may have been predisposed to infection due to various management, nutritional, and environmental risk factors. As many of these potential pathogens are endemic in production systems, it is important to remember that simply detecting a potential pathogen within a population is often not sufficient to assign cause for poor growth and production. To help fully interpret the impact of a detected agent, diagnostic efforts should focus on providing proof that the agent is actually causing disease. Molecular detection methods, such as PCR, are increasingly available for common pathogens and have high diagnostic sensitivity but lower diagnostic specificity. This paper will discuss the clinical signs and gross and microscopic lesions associated with common nursery pig pathogens, as well as proper sampling and diagnostic testing necessary to detect and confirm disease following infection with these agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal level of Cordyceps mushroom powder inclusion in diets for nursery pigs. One-hundred sixty crossbred pigs [(Duroc × (York × Landrace)] weaned at 18.8 d of age and weighing an average of 5.94 kg were used in a 35 day, 4 phase growth trial to evaluate Cordyceps mushroom powder as potential alternative to carbadox in nursery pig diets. Pigs were allotted by weight, sex, litter, and assigned to body weight (BW) blocks. Within BW blocks, sex ratios were constant in each pen. Each pen within a BW block was randomly assigned a dietary treatment. Growth performance was analyzed as a RCB design using BW, ADG, ADFI, G:F using GLM procedure of SAS 9.4. There were 5 or 6 pigs/pen and 6 pens/treatment. Five diets were used in the study: a negative diet or a positive control (Carbadox, 55 ppm); 300 or 600 ppm mushroom powder, and a step down treatment (900, 900, 450, 300, 150 ppm mushroom powder during weeks 1 through 5, respectively). At various points of the study, pigs fed the 300 ppm and the step-down mushroom powder treatments tended to have improved (P < 0.10) growth performance compared with those fed the negative control diet. During Phase 4 of the study, pigs fed Carbadox had greater ADG (P < 0.02) and improved feed efficiency (P < 0.09) compared to pigs fed the negative control diet. However, overall data showed that there were no statistical differences among treatments (P > 0.05). In summary, pigs fed 300 ppm mushroom powder or the step-down treatment showed comparable growth performance to pigs fed Carbadox. However, future research is needed under a greater disease challenge to examine mushroom powder's full potential as an alternative to antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment observed the effects of replacing animal and fish proteins with a fortified protein blend (PROPLEX MVP) on growth performance, immune status, microbial metabolites, and fecal scoring of nursery pigs. A total of 244 barrows and gilts [Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire), avg. 19 d age and BW 5.88 ± 1.38 kg] were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design (2 dietary treatments × 2 feeding programs). The dietary treatments were: 1) Control diet (CONT) with animal and fish proteins and 2) PROPLEX MVP (MVP100): CONT with MVP replacing 100% of the animal and fish proteins. The feeding programs for each feeding phase were: high budget (H): Phase 1: 2.3 kg/pig; Phase 2: 4.5 kg/pig; Phase 3: 6.8 kg/pig and low budget (L): Phase 1: 1.1 kg/pig; Phase 2: 2.3 kg/pig; Phase 3: 3.4 kg/pig). For d 0-7, pigs fed CONT had greater ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < 0.001) compared to MVP100. From d 7 to 14, ADG and G:F were greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed MVP100 compared to CONT pigs and greater for pigs fed the H budget compared to the L budget (P < 0.05). Overall, d 0 to 35, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in pig final BW, overall ADG, and G:F. For week two and most of the experimental period, pigs fed CONT had greater (P < 0.05) fecal scores, more soft and watery feces, and increased diarrhea incidence compared to MVP100 pigs. The total concentration of fecal volatile fatty acids was greater (P < 0.05) in CONT compared to MVP100 fed pigs. In conclusion, the MVP protein blend can be used as a cost effective alternative to animal and fish proteins in nursery pig diets without compromising overall growth performance, immune status, and post-weaning diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusion of soybean meal (SBM) in gestation diets has been decreasing as producers replace amino acid sources with more cost-effective ingredients. In particular, SBM components have been associated with immunoglobulin production and increased nutrition in late gestation has been associated with limited growth performance increases. Yet, it is unknown if SBM inclusion levels in late gestation diets influences offspring growth during the lactation and nursery phases. Therefore, the objective of this project is to investigate the impact of SBM inclusion rates in late gestation on offspring performance. Sows (n = 63) were assigned to one of four diets, 14 days prior to farrowing: A (n = 13; 0% SBM, 13.5% crude protein (CP), B (n = 16; 10% SBM, 13.5% CP), C (n = 17; 30% SBM, 21.5% CP), D (n = 17; 0% SBM, 21.5% CP). Growth performance of piglets was evaluated during lactation. Piglets per diet: A (n = 170), B (n = 183), C (n = 200), D (n = 228). Body weights were recorded daily from birth through d10 of lactation then at d15 and every 7 days until weaning. Colostrum and milk at d15 were evaluated for immunoglobulin concentration. After weaning, weights were recorded at two-week intervals during the nursery phase. No significant effect of gestation diet was observed for birth weight (P = 0.27) or ADG from day 0 to weaning (P = 0.78). Wean weight (WW), post-wean weight 1 (PW1), and post-wean weight 2 (PW2) were not different across dietary treatments (P > 0.28). Immunoglobulin production was similar across diets. These results suggest that the inclusion rate of SBM content in the last 14 days of gestation has no impact on offspring performance. Continued research is needed into understanding the impact of nutritional status of the sow during gestation on long-term offspring performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 38 mixed parity sows were used from 28-d of gestation until weaning to determine the effects of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in sow and nursery pig diets on litter characteristics and growth performance. On 28-d of gestation, sows were blocked by parity and body weight (BW), and allotted to either a control diet (UNSUP) or a control diet plus 0.3% inclusion of DaaFit Plus (MCFA) fed during gestation and lactation. At weaning, piglets (n=432) were allocated in a 2x2 factorial based on maternal diet (UNSUP or MCFA) and post-weaning diet (UNSUPnurs or MCFAnurs) in a 3-phase nursery pig feeding program lasting 42 days. Individual piglets were weighed at birth, 7-d, at weaning and every 2 weeks post-weaning. A flu outbreak occurred during the latter part of gestation leading to high overall stillborn rate (11%). There was no impact of MCFA supplementation on sow performance (P>0.14). During the suckling period, MCFA fed to sows had no impact on piglet weights or ADG (P>0.82). In the nursey period, overall gain (0.112±0.02 kg) was low in the first two weeks possibly due to health challenges. Supplementation of MCFA to sows or nursery pigs had no impact on body weights during the nursery period (P>0.32); however, absolute differences between groups increased with week [wean, 0.10kg; wk 2, 0.14kg; wk 4, 0.71kg; wk 6, 0.83kg) to the advantage of MCFA fed pigs. Pigs from MCFA fed sows had greater feed intake (P< 0.02) from 14 to 28-d and decreased gain:feed (P < 0.04) from 28 to 42-d compared to pigs from UNSUP sows. Overall, sow and nurser-y pigs fed MCFA had numerically greater 42-d BW, ADG, and ADFI. In conclusion, despite health challenges, supplementation with MCFA in gestation, lactation or in the nursery period improved piglet performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of a feed sweetener on nursery pig performance. In the first study, 360 pigs (PIC 800 x 1050; 6.22 ± 1.20 kg) were blocked by BW and pen location and assigned to 3 treatment groups: 1) Control; 2) 100 mg/kg feed sweetener; or 3) 200 mg/kg feed sweetener. There were 12 pens containing 10 pigs for each treatment. In the second study, 540 pigs (6.12 ± 0.39 kg) were blocked by BW and pen location and assigned to 3 treatment groups: 1) negative control; 2) 100 mg/kg feed sweetener; or 3) 0.5% carob bean. There were 18 pens containing 10 pigs per pen for each treatment. A 3-phase feeding program was used, and diets were fed for 6 wk in both studies. In study 1, ADFI, ADG, and gain:feed were increased (P < 0.05) during Phase 1 for pigs fed diets with 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg sweetener. Phase 2 ADFI and ADG were increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed 100 mg/kg sweetener when compared to the control. Increased BW (P < 0.05) were observed on D 7, 14 and 21 for animals fed 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg sweetener. The mortality rate was decreased (P < 0.05) in the group of animals fed 100 mg/kg sweetener compared to the control. In study 2, there was no effect of sweetener or carob bean on growth performance, feed intake or gain:feed. However, mortality rate was decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the sweetener compared to pigs fed carob bean. In conclusion, the feed sweetener improved early nursery performance in one study and had no effect in another study. Mortality was decreased by supplementation with 100 mg/kg sweetener when compared to a negative control in one study and compared pigs fed carob bean in the second study. Further research is needed to explore differences observed between studies to optimize feed sweetener usage strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 270 pigs (PIC 1050 x DNA 600, 6.0 kg) were used in a 42-d nursery trial to determine the optimum SID threonine to SID lysine (SID Thr/Lys) ratio for young pigs. Pigs were sorted by sex and initial BW, and were allotted to each pen (3 barrows, 3 gilts). Pens were then randomly assigned to diets containing incremental levels of SID Thr/Lys ratio (0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75), achieved using THRPRO 80 (CJ America, CA) as the source of L-threonine. Each treatment consisted of 45 piglets and 9 replicates per treatment. There were 3 dietary phases (2 weeks each) and the same levels of SID Thr/Lys were tested for each phase. All performance data (ADG, ADFI, and Gain to Feed (G:F)) were analyzed using Proc Mixed in a RCBD model with SID Thr/Lys ratio as fixed effect and weight block as random effect. Orthogonal contrasts were performed to test for linear and quadratic effects of SID Thr/Lys ratio on all performance parameters. Final BW averaged around 20.8 kg (±0.6) and was not influenced by SID Thr/Lys ratio (P>0.20). It was however lower than previously observed from previous nursery batches and might be due to pig infection with Lawsonia intracellularis and Streptococcus suis. A linear trend on ADG was observed during the last phase of nursery (P=0.10) but this response was not significant for the overall study (P>0.15). SID Thr/Lys ratio had no significant effect on ADFI during any phase or overall experimental period (P>0.20). Increasing SID Thr/Lys ratio, however, linearly increase G:F of nursery pigs overall (P< 0.05). The results of this study suggest that there is value in terms of increasing efficiency of gain with higher level of SID Thr/Lys as compared to current NRC recommendation (0.59), especially under disease challenge conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the different sources of L-Trp on growth performance, a total of 288 weaned pigs (PIC1050 x DNA600) were stratified by gender and BW, and assigned to 1 of 7 dietary treatments. Treatments were control (devoid of feed grade Trp to create SID Trp/Lys = 17), and L-Trp from (Ajinomoto CO., INC., TrpA vs Daesang CO., LTD., TrpD) was added to form SID Trp:Lys ratios of 19, 21, and 23. Chlortetracycline (Zoetis Inc. Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ) was supplemented in phase 1 (6 d) &2 (9 d), and Mecadox (Philbro Animal Health Corp., Ridgefield Park, NJ) was added in phase 3 (10 d) while antibiotic free diets were fed in phase 4 (17 d). Individual pig BW and pen feed intake was measured at each phase to determine BW, ADG, ADFI and F:G ratio. Data were analyzed as Mixed procedure of SAS as RCBD. Orthogonal contrast was conducted to determine linear and quadratic response with SID Trp/Lys from 17 (control) to 23 for each source of L-Trp. Adding both sources of L-Trp had minimum impact on growth performance in phase 1-3. As in phase 4, a tendency and significant linear increase on ADG with increasing level of TrpA (P = 0.09) and TrpD (P = 0.04) was observed with the highest ADG in pigs fed TrpA19. Pigs fed increasing level of SID Trp/Lys from TrpA had a quadratic reduction on F:G ratio (P = 0.09). The results suggested that a Trp:Lys ratio over 17 may enhance growth performance and source of L-Trp may impact performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A developmental Bacillus based direct-fed microbial (DFM) was added to nursery pig diets to evaluate the effect on growth and health in two 35-d randomized complete block design experiments blocked on initial BW and sex. Experiment 1 used 315 weaned pigs (20.1 d of age; 6.11 kg initial BW) allotted to one of three diets: 1) Negative Control (NC; no antibiotics but with pharmacological Zn or Cu), 2) NC+DFM 0.55x109CFU, 3) NC+DFM 1.1x109CFU. Experiment 2 used 376 weaned pigs (17.8 d of age; 5.99 kg initial BW) allotted to one of four diets, the same 3 diets from Experiment 1 plus a lower inclusion rate: 4) NC+DFM 0.275x109CFU. Both studies had 15 replicates/treatment, 6-7 pigs/pen. Pigs were budget fed phase 1-3 diets (1.13 kg/pig; 2.72 kg/pig; and 6.35 kg/pig, respectively) and ad libitum fed Phase 4 diet to d35. For Experiment 1, during week 1 pigs fed the DFM tended to linearly decrease ADFI (P = 0.086) and linearly increase G:F (P = 0.085). During day 21-35 of Experiment 1 pigs fed DFM linearly increased ADG (P = 0.035) and quadratically increased ADFI (P = 0.027). Overall for experiment 1, ADG (P = 0.114) and ADFI (P = 0.104) tended to quadratically increase and G:F linearly increased (P = 0.012) with increasing concentrations of DFM. Experiment 2; during week 1 and 3 ADFI (P = 0.084, P = 0.050, respectively) quadratically increased and G:F (P = 0.081; P = 0.022, respectively) quadratically decreased as DFM increased in the diet. During d21-35 of experiment 2, ADG (P = 0.064) quadratically increased and G:F (P = 0.012) quadratically decreased as DFM increased. Overall for Experiment 2 ADFI numerically increased (4.3%) with no increase in ADG, resulting in a quadratic decrease in G:F (P = 0.010) as the DFM increased in the diet. Summarizing these two studies, the DFM product had its greatest effect increasing ADFI while inconsistently impacting gain and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progeny from sows fed diets containing a Bacillus licheniformis direct-fed microbial (DFM), an organic acid blend of medium and short chain fatty acids (OA), DFM+OA, or a control (CON) diet from d80 of gestation until weaning were used to determine if feeding CON, DFM, OA, or DFM+OA to the dam and/or progeny post-weaning improved nursery growth performance. Weaned pigs from 47 dams (n = 384, Initial BW=6.15 kg) were blocked by initial BW and sex and allotted (6 pigs/pen, 8 pens/treatment) to one of 8 nursery treatments. Pigs from CON sows were fed a negative (NC; no antibiotics, pharmacological Zn or Cu) or positive [PC; Neo-Terramycin phases 1 and 2 (827 and 551 ppm) and Carbadox phase 3 (55 ppm)] control diet. Pigs from sows fed DFM, OA, or DFM+OA were fed the NC diet or a diet representative of their dam. Diets with DFM contained 1.6x109 CFU/kg DFM and diets with OA contained 0.5, 0.4, and 0.3% OA in phases 1-3, respectively. Weaning weight was used as a covariate for nursery performance. For all phases and overall, PC fed pigs had greater ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < 0.05). Feeding DFM or OA in sow diets improved (interaction; P< 0.042) nursery pig G:F, but DFM+OA offspring had no improvement for d7-14, 0-14, and 0-21 G:F. Feeding DFM or OA to sows and their progeny decreased ADFI (interaction; P < 0.042) but improved G:F (interaction; P < 0.028) for d7-14 and 0-14 with DFM+OA having no improvement above CON. For d14-21 and 0-21, feeding DFM or OA to sows and their progeny decreased ADFI whereas DFM+OA increased ADFI above CON (interaction; P < 0.019). In conclusion, feeding DFM or OA to sows or their offspring may improve nursery feed efficiency and feeding DFM+OA diet to sows and their progeny may increase ADFI late in the nursery period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weaning induces major structural and function changes to the small intestine of pigs and they transition from milk to solid feedstuffs. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine how intestinal morphology and function markers relate to feed intake and growth rates of nursery pig. Forty-eight weaned pigs (5.63 ± 0.50 kg) were randomly selected, individually penned and fed a common diet. Pig bodyweights and feed intake were determined at d 2, 7, and 21. At each time point, 16 pigs were randomly selected and euthanized. Sections of ileum were assessed for morphology [villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD) and VH:CD] and ex vivo transepithelial resistance (TER), macromolecule permeability (FD4), and active transport of glucose and glutamine via modified Ussing chambers. Within each period (d 0-2, 0-7, and 0-21), Pearson correlations were performed between ADG, ADFI, VH, VH:CD, TER, FD4 and active transport of glucose and glutamine. At d 2 post-weaning, no correlations (P > 0.05) were observed between performance and intestinal variables. By d 7, moderate positive correlations between VH and ADFI (r = 0.69, P = 0.005), VH and ADG (r = 0.68, P = 0.006) were reported. At 21 d post-weaning, moderate positive correlations were still observed for VH and ADFI (r = 0.55, P = 0.026) and between VH and ADG (r = 0.51, P = 0.042). Interestingly, ADFI and ADG tended to be negatively correlated with active glucose transport (r = -0.45, P = 0.083 and r = -0.47, P = 0.064, respectively) and active glutamine transport (r = -0.45, P = 0.083 and r = -0.46, P = 0.073, respectively). Markers of ileal integrity (TER and FD4) were not correlated with ADG or ADFI at any time point. Altogether, these data highlight the importance of intestinal morphology on early nursery pig performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursery pigs are frequently faced with disease challenges and producers are seeking nutritional strategies to help pig performance and health. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate five dietary formulation strategies that may improve performance in poor health nursery flow pigs (confirmed Rotavirus A and hemolytic E. coli positive at d 14). A total of 431 weaned pigs (5.5 ± 1.25 kg BW) were assigned to pens (10-11 pigs/pen) and one of five diets (n = 8 pens/treatment) over a 63-day test period consisting of 4 diet phases using a complete randomized design. In phase 1 and 2, treatments were: 1) 15-25% low soybean meal (LSBM), 2) 35-45% high soybean meal (HSBM), 3) 130% increase in valine and isoleucine branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to Lys, 4) 2.1% combination of C8, C10 and C12 medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), and 5) 20% modified oats (MO). All pigs were fed a common diet for phases 3 and 4. Within phase, all diets were isocaloric with similar SID Lys:ME. Pen was considered the experimental unit and data were analyzed with contrast statements comparing each diet against the LSBM control. Across all phases, compared to LSBM, HSBM, BCAA and MO did not alter ADG, ADFI and G:F (P > 0.10). However, MCFA reduced (P < 0.05) ADG in phase 1 (0.20 vs 0.16 kg) and 2 (0.45 vs 0.39 kg) and phase 2 ADFI (0.66 kg vs 0.58 kg) compared to the LSBM treatment. Overall (0-63 days), compared to the LSMB, the MCFA treatment reduced ADG (0.46 vs 0.42 kg, P = 0.004) and ADFI (0.75 vs 0.68 kg, P = 0.009). Diet did not affect mortality. These data report that MCFA attenuated nursery pig performance, while HSBM, MO and BCAA diets fed in phases 1 and 2 had no longitudinal impact on pig performance or health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of the initial nursery diet budget on growth performance. A total of 3,264 pigs (initial BW = 5.5 kg), placed in pens with 51 pigs each, were used in a 45-d trial. There were 4 treatments consisting of different feed budgets of the initial nursery diet: 4.1 kg, 5.4 kg, 6.8 kg, or 8.2 kg. The experimental diet was corn, soybean meal, and whey permeate-based and contained 1.38% SID Lys. After the allocated budget was consumed, pigs were provided a common corn and soybean mealbased diet. There were 16 replicates per treatment. Pigs were weighed weekly to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data were analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. In the first 14 d of the trial there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in growth performance as all pigs were receiving their allocated budget of the initial diet. From d 14 to 21 as well as d 0 to 21, pigs that received a budget of 6.8 or 8.2 kg had improved ADG (quadratic, P < 0.05) and G:F (linear, P < 0.05) compared to those fed budgets of 4.1 or 5.4 kg. From d 21 to 45, when all pigs received a common diet, there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in ADG. However, there was a linear response (P < 0.05) in G:F, with pigs previously fed the lowest feed budget presenting improved G:F. Overall (d 0 to 45), there was an improvement (linear, P < 0.05) in ADG and ADFI as feed budgets increased, with the best performance observed when pigs were fed 6.8 or 8.2 kg of the initial nursery diet. In conclusion, providing a 6.8 or 8.2 kg budget of the initial nursery diet resulted in improved overall nursery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three hundred twenty newly weaned pigs (6.7±0.3 kg BW) were used to determine the effect of low complexity diets contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON) and supplemented with NutraMixTM or fish oil on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were randomly divided into 40 pens and assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments (n = 8): [1] high-complexity diet containing animal proteins (HC) or one of four low complexity diets with protein supplied only by corn and soybean meal with [2] no DON contamination (LC), or [3] DON contamination of 3 ppm without supplements (DON-), [4] with NutraMixTM supplementation (2 g/kg; DONNM), or [5] with fish oil supplementation (2.5%, as-fed; DONω3). Diets were fed over two phases (7 and 15 days, respectively) and a common phase III diet was fed to all pigs for 20 days. In phase I, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were not different between pigs fed the HC and LC diets, but were lower for pigs fed DONNM and DONω3(P < 0.05). In phase II, pigs fed the DONand DONω3 diets had lower ADG than LC (375 vs. 410 g/d; P < 0.05) and lower ADFI than HC (452 vs. 519 g/d; P < 0.05), while pigs fed DON- and DONω3 had greater G:F than those fed HC (0.83 vs. 0.78; P < 0.05). The BW at the end of phase II were not different between HC and LC (13.0 kg), but tended to be less for DONω3 (12.6 kg; P = 0.084 and 0.079, respectively). In phase III and over the entire nursery period, there were no treatment effects on ADG, ADFI, G:F, or final BW (26.0±0.7 kg). Feeding low complexity diets contaminated with 3 ppm DON initially reduced growth performance, but pigs were still able to achieve BW not different from HC pigs at the end of the nursery period, regardless of supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]